Snow...White?

When Walt Disney released the first full-length feature animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 1937 there is no denying its success or astounding achievements. The films debut changed poplar culture forever and set Walt Disney apart from the rest in animation success. Nobody, not even Walt Disney himself, could anticipate the unknowing formula that had been created for every little girls ultimate idol: the Disney Princess. Young, beautiful, lacking in either one or both parents, and desperately searching for her prince to come and save her from unhappiness, is the all too familiar set up of the Disney Princess. But should we be idolizing these women? And what does the overall creation of these characters really say about our society and history? It is time to deconstruct these stories and women and understand why Disney lied.

As most people know, the original story of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' is from the Brother's Grimm and is in fact a German story. Although the story has been revived and retold several times in several countries, it was not until Disney Americanized it that it became a happy love story. The story is not the only thing that Disney 'Americanized.' The voice of Snow was played by Adriana Casselotti; the daughter of an Italian immigrant. She was trained in opera by her father which allowed her to manipulate her voice into that youthful, angelic sound. She already possessed the dark hair that resembled Snow White but the black and white photography allowed her complexion to appear white, thus resembling a real life Snow White. Casselotti was under contract with Disney and was therefore not allowed to appear on any form of film or media, as Disney did not want to "ruin the illusion of Snow White." Although there was no denying of her Italian roots, the attempt to make Adriana resemble Snow White created a problematic trend for the faces behind all future Disney princesses.